Gravity Commons Podcast

We talked with church history professor Wes Crawford about the complicated relationship between Christian faith and American patriotism, and how national devotion has grown into something resembling a civil religion—complete with its own rituals, sacred texts, and symbols. These are the themes explored in Crawford's new book One Nation over God .  Connect with Gravity Commons: Leave us a mess...

Connect with Gravity Commons: Leave us a message or ask a question about this or any other episode and we’ll answer it on a future episode. Join the Gravity Community to interact with other listeners, and get our list of curated links each week to all things edifying and interesting. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We talked with activist and academic Lucas Wilson about the experience of surviving queer conversion therapy. His book Shame-Sex Attraction tells these stories, seeks to expose conversion practices for what they are - pseudoscientific, bogus, ineffective, and wildly traumatic, and to ensure that these stories do not happen to future generations. Connect with Gravity Commons: Leave us a message or...

We talked with pastor Kenneth Tanner about his new book Vulnerable God , which invites readers to reimagine both God and themselves through the mystery and vulnerability of the incarnation. Tanner argues that vulnerability is not a flaw in the divine nature but the very glory of divine love. Through service, hiddenness, and surrender, Jesus reveals what it means to be fully human the way God is hu...

We talked with minister and author Rohadi Nagassar reclaiming what makes us fully alive—slowing down, paying attention, and embracing the truth that each of us deserves to flourish. His new book Whole and Human walks through forty meditations engaging the five senses, journey into deeper relationship with land, body, spirit, and justice Connect with Gravity Commons: Leave us a message or ask a qu...

We talked with Presbyterian minister and peace activist Ben Daniel about his book Grace Over Guns : Pursuing Peace in a Militarized World , in which he challenges readers to think through common justifications for military violence and to consider how those justifications might not measure up to the teachings of Jesus, offering a prophetic call to reject the sin of military violence and embrace th...

We talked with spiritual director Deb Gregory about the profoundly reorienting practice of walking and praying: a multisensory journey that integrates mind, body, and spirit as we notice God's gentle leading, one step at a time. In her new book Spiritual Wayfinding , Deb has created thirty-three unique walking meditations exploring the core questions Where am I? and Where am I going? Each expe...

We talked with spiritual director and author Susan Carson about how neuroscience and mystical theology intersect to inform a way of being together with God and one another that heals our trauma and alienation, which she explores in her new book A Kenotic Way of Contemplative Healing: Julian of Norwich, Neuroscience and the Centrality of Safety in Healing Trauma . Find her podcast, blog, and more a...

We talked with pastor Steve Watson about shedding forms of Christianity that have disappointed us and constructing and embracing a faith that makes us "larger, freer, and more loving," in the famous words of James Baldwin. His new book All Flesh Shalom dissects some of white Western Christianity’s most narrow and misguided readings of the life and teaching of Jesus, and in conversation wit...

We talked with Professor Victor Counted about how the attachment framework can help us explore how we develop and sustain psychological bonds with God, and how, when those bonds are eroded, it can lead to a crisis of faith. His book Bonded With God navigates questions of identity, meaning, and purpose, and the role of faith in offering support and guidance as we examine our connection with God. Vi...

We talked with Rob Dixon about his new book, Allies in Ministr y, which provides a practical, research-based pathway for men who desire to support women in ministry but may feel uncertain about how to act or worried about doing the wrong thing, because for women and men to thrive equally in ministry, the church needs male allies who are committed to supporting women in their callings. Rob Dixon (D...

We talked with professor and author James McGrath about how the process of deconstruction can be a starting point for something new, and lead to building a more expansive faith, which is what he addresses in his book Beyond Deconstruction: Building a More Expansive Faith . You can connect with James on his blog: https://patheos.com/blogs/religionprof . Connect with Gravity Commons: Leave us a mess...

We talked with musician, composer, and liturgical theologian Richard Bruxvoort Colligan about the rich, complicated life reflected in the Psalms of the Hebrew Bible—150 stories from a people passionate and honest about the complexities of human experience, and how we can be transformed by reengaging with the Psalms on their own terms. Richard is the author of Dangerous Songs: The Psalms and a Glor...

We talked with pastor and author Tomy Cummins about what to do when someone you love admits that they're drowning in anxiety, depression, or thoughts of suicide. Most of us care deeply but feel unprepared, afraid of saying the wrong thing or making things worse. His new book Shepherds of The Mind: Caring Like Christ in an age of Silent Suffering equips ordinary people to respond with compassio...

What is “Ordinary Time” in the Christian calendar, and why is it called “ordinary” if it’s still spiritually significant? How can we practice rhythms of faith and stay spiritually grounded during the quieter seasons of life? Christy, Ben, and Matt discuss. Connect with Gravity Commons: Leave us a message or ask a question about this or any other episode and we'll answer it on a future episode...

What is Pentecost, and why is it such an important moment in Christianity? What was the significance of the disciples speaking in different languages in Acts 2? How do different Christian traditions and cultures celebrate Pentecost today? Ben, Christy, and Matt discuss these questions and more! Connect with Gravity Commons: Leave us a message or ask a question about this or any other episode and w...

What is the Ascension of Jesus, and how does the theology of the ascension matter? How did the Ascension change the disciples’ understanding of Jesus and their mission? Join Matt, Ben, and Christy to hear their answers to these questions and more. Connect with Gravity Commons: Leave us a message or ask a question about this or any other episode and we'll answer it on a future episode. Join the...

Ben and Christy welcome Matt back to the podcast after the sabbatical; Matt reflects on his time away. Connect with Gravity Commons: Leave us a message or ask a question  about this or any other episode and we’ll answer it on a future episode. Join the Gravity Community  to interact with other listeners, and get our list of curated links each week to all things edifying and interesting. Advertisin...

We’re continuing our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book,  What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message.  In this series, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the Greek Gods. Dr. Paul Pen...

We’re continuing our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book,  What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message.  In this series, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the Apocalyptics. Dr. Paul P...

We talked with BEMA Podcast host Marty Solomon about what it means to be human. Many of us have inherited a theology that says being human is our main problem, something for us to overcome, but what if being human is actually the point of the gospel? What if God is inviting us to see our humanity as, in fact, very good news? In  The Gospel of Being Human , Marty Solomon and Reed Dent invite you on...

We’re continuing our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book,  What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message.  In this series, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the temple. Dr. Paul Penley...

Ben and Christy talk about St. Patrick's Day and how to celebrate it. Connect with Gravity Commons: Leave us a message or ask a question  about this or any other episode and we’ll answer it on a future episode. Join the Gravity Community  to interact with other listeners, and get our list of curated links each week to all things edifying and interesting. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircl...

This week on the podcast, we continue our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book,  What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message.  In this series, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the rev...

We’re continuing our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book,  What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message.  In this series, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the separatists. Dr. Paul Pe...